Getting Back to the Heart

My writing mini-retreat spot in a nearby park from last week.

I recently did an edit/read-thru of Amongst the Roses. And I hadn't worked on its sequel since the spring. Lo and behold, rereading the first book helped. In theory. I began rereading/editing through what I have of the sequel--52K words. I missed the characters, my heart ached, soared, warmed as I read on.

I was also reminded of something as a very dizzyingly happy and busy life resumes for me here and I soldier on in this writing dream.
Writing is a form of worship. Hence the title of the post. I'm getting back to the heart of (writing) worship...
Worship is giving glory to God. Thanking Him. Acknowledging His work, His great love, and telling it back. More often than not worship evokes the sound of singing. And I dearly love to sing. Albeit not well, but I digress.
What happens when we neglect worship? Time in His presence? Recalling to mind His goodness, mercy and deep, deep love?
There is burn out. Frustration. More anxiety. And we lose sight of the eternal perspective we must strive to have to properly focus everything under God and His purposes first and foremost.
I don't know about you but I can struggle with checklists. I'm a lister, and too often I overcomplicate things by them. A list of requirements like "Should Be's", "Must Be's," "Can't Be's". Goals are not inherently bad. Far from it. But it is when goals and lists morph into boxes that limit God. Subconsciously. Warped to our own specific thoughts as to what would be most ideal, what we need--what is safe.
All I'm learning in life, and especially in this writing dream, is that we can't put God in a box. There's His grace for it all. Even the burnt out times we will all inevitably face. Take it from me, someone who knows and will hopefully learn:
Don't take for granted those dry burn-out seasons. Let your empty hands slap to your sides, huff and puff and tear your hair out and shut up the comparison game quick and ask God what He has for you to learn.